The Scottish First Minister's hopes to break away from the UK have once again been lambasted by councillors in the rugged island, which is desperate to remain part of Britain.

Political movement 'Wir Shetland' is now gathering momentum to consider plans to ensure the Shetland Islands stay in the UK if Ms Sturgeon gets her way.

Shetland councillor and leading figure in Wir Shetland, Andrea Manson, said: "It would be wonderful."

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Tavish Scott of Scotland's Liberal Democrat party, who represents Shetland in the Scottish Parliament, added: "Shetland certainly explored, and I think again will explore, what kind of constitutional future it wants."

The Shetlands were the only part of Britain, along with the Western Isles of Scotland, that voted against EEC membership in a 1975 referendum.

During Scotland's 2014 independence referendum, the unionist vote in the Shetlands was 63.7 per cent - one of the highest levels in Scotland.

But as Ms Sturgeon revealed a second referendum would be "highly likely" following Britain's decision to unshackle itself from the beleaguered bloc, islanders have become discontent.

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'Up Helly Aa' refers to any of a variety of fire festivals held annually in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, in the middle of winter to mark the end of the yule season. The spectacular event takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January.

We would like the freedom to get rid of some of the bureaucracy that comes down from the EU, Westminster and the Scottish parliament

Andrea Manson

The power struggle is engulfed around the islands, which land more fish than ports in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined.

It is geographically and culturally closest to Scandinavia than Edinburgh and more politically aligned with Brussels and London.

Ms Mason said: "We would like control of the seabed around us, the fishing ground around us, and the freedom to get rid of some of the bureaucracy that comes down from the EU, Westminster and the Scottish parliament.

"Our seas are being plundered by foreign boats. We also contribute an enormous amount of money to the national economy through taxes, through the oil revenues, and yet we don't get back our fair share."

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It appears residents and councillors hope to adopt a similar path taken by the Faroe Islands, which have autonomous status within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Mr Mason added: "I don't suppose we would ever be allowed full independence.

"In an ideal world we would be a British overseas territory. We would be to Britain what Faroe is to Denmark."

Ms Sturgeon has used the Leave result in the historic EU referendum to push her case for a second independence referendum in a scathing attack against democracy.

However she faces an uphill struggle to keep Scotland in the EU following Britain's 52 to 48 per cent victory for the Leave camp.

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Shetland Islands bid to BREAKAWAY from Scotland in revolt against Sturgeon's indy bid - Express.co.uk